Local mother Rachael Breed attended the November meeting of Thorpe St Andrew Town Council on behalf of the Plumstead Road East Pedestrian Safety Campaign Group (PREPS Campaign) to raise the issue.

The PREPS Campaign Group want the crossing to be installed between the junctions with Armstrong Road and South Hill Road, where councillors, residents and the local county council highways engineer have since carried out a site visit.

Mrs Breed said: “The PREPS Campaign Group are extremely concerned about the safety of pedestrians wishing to cross this increasingly busy and dangerous road with speeding vehicles.

“Visibility is poor and there is no pedestrian access. We are simply unable to safely leave Armstrong Road on foot heading towards South Hill Road.”

The group also believes the crossing would greatly improve safe access to schools in Thorpe St Andrew for many children.

County councillor for Thorpe St Andrew, Ian Mackie, and county councillor for Woodside, Nigel Shaw, are both backing the campaign. Mr Mackie said: “I am encouraged by our site visit and there appears to be a range of options to be looked at to take a pedestrian crossing scheme forward.

“In addition, I would also like to see a new path and cycleway linking the top of Dussindale to South Hill Road. This would help residents, particularly school children in Thorpe End, reach the high school more safely.”

Mr Shaw added: “I originally looked into the idea of a crossing last year as I knew it was a matter for local concern, so I am really pleased that the local safety campaign team are lending their support to moving this project forward.”